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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Hyperemesis Support

930 replies

LucindaE · 10/12/2018 20:15

I hope everyone suffering from the Horrors of Hyperemesis will find this thread useful as a source of support and information.
There's no TMI on here - can't be by definition - and nobody should feel ashamed of moaning as much as they feel the need to.
MOH's wonderful website is full of useful information on this illness:
sites.google.com/site/pregnancysicknesssos
Another invaluable website is:
www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk
If you need help in obtaining medication, phone them on:
024 7638 2020
Lastly, the NICE guidelines on treatment are useful:
cks.nice.org.uk/nauseavomiting-in-pregnancy
I would like to thank everyone who has given such invaluable support and advice on this and on previous threads.
Remember when you are at your worst, 'This Too Shall Pass'. It really will.
So many women on this thread have thought they couldn't get through this, but they did.
On my image of a pink castle: that is an image I use because when I was little, my family had a Snakes and Ladders board with an image on the last square of a pink castle in the clouds. As Hyperemesis is so like a grotesque version of Snakes and Ladders - eat a meal, go up a ladder, first thing in the morning bile run, down a snake - I have used the image of that pink castle on the last square of that Snakes and Ladders board as a metaphor for the happy end of Hyperemesis.

Hyperemesis Support
Hyperemesis Support
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eallison88 · 15/12/2018 15:29

Glad scan went well reastie. I had it lots with my last pregnancy too, I just couldn't remember what I used. I thoight i could use pessary, so will do that. I'm very obviously pregnant now (like, a stranger said to me "not long now, then?", and refused to accept I was only just into 2nd trimester!!) tho it's steroid weight gain rather than actual baby, so if it's not ok to use, I'm sure the pharmacist will tell me!

Oh, the pharmacist have hubby 8mg tabs rather than the prescribed 4mg tabs yesterday. He said that he couldn't source any 4mg, but had got 8mg. Might be worth mentioning to a pharmacist if anyone is struggling to get hold of 4mg tabs

Reastie · 15/12/2018 15:36

That’s interesting eal. Is anyone else still struggling to get ondansetron as my surgery have started being able to get it again now (touch wood). Apparently it says it’s out of stock but they order it anyway and it comes in the next day. Fingers crossed the supply issue is improving.

FWIW I had to get caneseton on prescription last time, I might be wrong but I remember something about a pharmacist being weird about selling it to me, just to warn you.

eallison88 · 15/12/2018 17:18

No difficulty getting the pessary/cream. Pharmacist did say I couldn't have the tablet treatment cos pregnant, but other stuff fine.

Reastie · 15/12/2018 17:36

That’s worth knowing eal if I end out needing to get some. Hope it works quickly.

LucindaE · 15/12/2018 20:29

Reastie Oh dear, I am sorry you are now last on the list. I post for encouragement - 'You will reach the Pink Castle' sort of thing - but being at the bottom of the list is not encouraging.
eallison and Reastie Poor both of you, re: thrush.
beanhunter How infuriating about the dietician! How diadactic and ill informed people can be when talking to Hyperemesis sufferers. Angry.
I hope everyone is coping today .

OP posts:
Ksjourney · 15/12/2018 23:06

So I was having a good day today. Until this evening and It was time to reach for the dreaded toothbrush .... knew it was a mistake as soon as it passed my lips. Oh well... tomorrow is another day...

LucindaE · 16/12/2018 13:02

Ksjourney Oh dear, poor you. I found having a kid's toothbrush and using kids strawberry toothpaste did make a difference. Might that help?

OP posts:
coco91 · 16/12/2018 16:49

Hi all - fellow HG sufferer here.
1st pregnancy was 7 years ago and I almost died from HG thanks to a string of dr's that wouldn't take me seriously. after a few collapses I was finally kept in hospital- veins collapsed, throat bleeding, severely dehydrated and hadn't kept food down in almost a month, full on mental breakdown - couldn't physically or mentally cope & made the difficult decision to terminate at 10 weeks.
Now 7 years on I am 35 weeks pregnant and got on some decent meds as soon as the HG started and thankfully they worked so has been much better this time around. Still didn't get them though from the dr until I was 15 weeks. Had to have counselling over flash backs and trauma of the HG 1st time around.
For any of you going through HG - you are so strong ❤️

eallison88 · 16/12/2018 17:35

ksjourney my dentist advised me up use mouthwash if I can. The fluoride on the mouthwash will help.

LucindaE · 16/12/2018 18:50

coco91 Welcome. I am sorry you had such dreadful treatment - or lack of it - last time and had to have a termination as a result. That is really shocking medical neglect. As you are now a veteran, so to speak, now at 35 weeks, you don't need my usual spiel about 'flat full sugar coke, ice lollies and the juice of tinned fruit' and 'have you got kesostix, which help to check the early stages of dehydration? I am so glad you have had better treatment this time round and also, counselling.
eallison Mouthwash is a great idea. I always loved the non mint ones, and always wondered where dentists got the non mint pink ones they used to use....

OP posts:
SassehMonsta · 17/12/2018 06:24

Hiya. I'm still here and lurking. My 3x4mg ondansetron a day is helping keep me on an even keel. I missed my lunchtime dose yesterday and didn't realise until my bedtime dose, so hoping that, at 16+3, things are slowly improving.

I have my diabetes diagnosis and so now switching from "eating to survive" to "eating a GD diet and watching my blood sugars".

I'll keep checking in but I don't use mumsnet so much anymore. Much love to you all x

evuscha · 17/12/2018 06:39

Ladies, have you also got any help when you didn't quite have HG but still felt very sick?
I'm 8 weeks pregnant, and the sickness started 2 weeks ago and it's been hell. I only puke about once a day, and generally I can drink liquids and eat tiny portions of very plain food. But the nausea is pretty much constant (including waking up in the middle of the night feeling nauseous) and my appetite is gone so empty stomach makes it worse. I barely eat and I lost 6 kilos in 2 weeks (I'm already pretty small built so it's a lot), I feel exhausted and can't really get out of the house anymore.
However, because it's not HG (and I know it must be worse for a lot of you), everyone from family to doctors to work seems to think I should just get on with it because "everybody has a morning sickness and they still function". It's very upsetting to be like this and very frustrating to think it's probably 4-8 more weeks like this if I'm lucky Sad

eallison88 · 17/12/2018 07:32

evuscha im not sure that if agree that you haven't got HG! weight loss, daily puking and debilitating nausea all fit with HG. So, yes, there's definitely help available. Cyclizine is an entry level antiemetic that may well control the nausea for you, meaning you are able to eat and drink a little more. Speak to your GP.

Reastie · 17/12/2018 07:39

Evu my issue is relentless nausea (and I’ve said on this page I feel a fraud joining in when they have it so much worse). My last pg for months non stop I felt 5 seconds away from being sick non stop all day and night. I had to lie in bed for hours as moving made it worse and if I attempted to do anything I’d start retching. I was given cyclizine and made to feel I was lucky to get that. I only got pg this time because I did a lot of research and was told from pg sickness support charity (definitely worth ringing them for advice) that regardless of the amount you’re sick if it’s hreatly impacting on your quality of life you are entitled to medication. I made sure I had an understanding gp on board with this before getting pg. it was still a fight but I’m now on cyclizine, ondansetron and prochlorperazine. GPs really vary on their outlook and willingness. I was told by pss that if gp is not helpful you need to be referred to a specialist and the gp shouldn’t refuse this. Honestly, pg last time completely broke me mentally and it took a long time to get over. This time I’m still struggling, I still can’t do anything and I still feel sick but the drugs are helping. It’s very difficult for people to understand if they haven’t been through it or have just experienced regular morning sickness. For me and a lot of peo0le here it seems doing daily things exhausts me so quickly and it makes the nausea so much worse. It’s not something you can just push through. I’ve barely been out of the house now in 9 weeks as mine started again before af was due.

Sass I’m glad things are getting better, hope the gd diet goes well.

Coco that sounds awful last time, I’m glad you’re nearly there now.

Rubbish afternoon yesterday, think my body was reacting to exhaustion at getting to scan on Saturday. Had to spend the afternoon in bed. 13 weeks tomorrow so counting down to hoping to feel a bit better and able to get out again.

evuscha · 17/12/2018 07:40

Thank you, that's reassuring! I will try GP, I spoke to midwife only at this point and she seemed to think I was fine (only I don't feel fine!)

evuscha · 17/12/2018 08:33

My GP was very understanding and gave me a cyclizine prescription straight away and said we can try different meds if this doesn't work - I'm so relieved I could cry!
Thank you so much eallison and Reastie! Just being understood makes such a difference.
I hope everyone feels a bit better today!

SassehMonsta · 17/12/2018 08:39

Evu- in my first pregnancy I saw my midwife who wasnt bothered, and was hospitalized the next day with severe dehydration. Stupid woman, I asked to change midwives and I'm so glad I did. I didn't like her!!!

Reastie · 17/12/2018 08:42

Evu that’s great news, glad you’ve got a supportive gp, that makes all the difference. Fingers crossed cyclizine helps and at least you know you have a doctor who’s willing to try other drugs. Hope you’re start to feel better soon.

Ksjourney · 17/12/2018 09:49

Liking the advice ladies thank you. Had a close call last night so think tonight I'm trying your recommendations. DD has strawberry toothpaste and some kids mouthwash so i (aka DH) do not even have to make a special trip to the shop. I'm actually doing quite well compared to two weeks ago so hopefully this is the final bump in the road.

Gosh @coco91 that sounds terrible but I am so pleased you are 35 weeks and will soon be holding your little one. It's been a long journey.

Oh @evuscha please do not play down what you are going through. The extreme nausea is the killer and what prevents me from functioning. Thankfully it's been in check for a few weeks now and my quality of life has improved.

Tell you what ladies Friday evening and Saturday morning I felt like myself again and 100% normal. It is scary realising how ill we all are. We put up with it and have good and bad days but even at my absolute best I am still a world away from 'normal'. You are all so strong 💪💐

beanhunter · 17/12/2018 10:15

Crap weekend vomiting wise and felt awful this morning so have had to call in sick. Hopefully can make the pm clinic as otherwise that’s letting people down.
I’m really struggling to balance my meds. The cyclizine and stemitil make me drowsy now I’m off the steroids and whist the ondansetron is effective I get so constipated even after one or two doses that I shy away from it. So I could probably vomit less but be even less functional. Just don’t know what to do anymore.

evuscha · 17/12/2018 10:18

Thank you so much ladies, you're all so lovely and reading through this thread has given me so much comfort!
I always thought pregnancy would feel like the most amazing time of my life, maybe a bit of morning sickness and then just getting on with my day - not this living hell! But hearing from someone who understands really helps - although I wish you didn't have to go through it.Flowers

rachyrach300 · 17/12/2018 10:24

Hello everyone!

Joining you all!

This is my 2nd pregnancy and the HG started about 5+2. I’m now 5+6 on stemil however I think it’s making me worse so go a call gp appt tomorrow and gunna ask for ondansetron, although the constipated worries me as I’m constipated at the best of time (sorry tmi).

As soon as the vomiting started the whole 9 months of my last pregnancy came back and I’m really down about it all. I vomited for the whole pregnancy last time but over 25 weeks it was manageable. Just so so down. I’m so lucky to be pregnant and after 2 miscarriages but it hard to function and hide it from people. I have no one to talk to about it. Plus my husband has a temp and is vomiting and we have a 2 year old to look after!

Thank god for a week annual leave!

Sorry to rant.

Olivecake · 17/12/2018 11:16

rachyrach300 firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy! A few of us, including myself, have been unfortunate enough to suffer miscarriages before so you’re definitely not alone in the way you’re feeling - hopefully you’ll find this thread a real source of comfort when it seems like nobody in ‘the real world’ understands!

I’d recommend going back to your GP and asking for different medications - most of us have tried several including combinations until we got to what worked for us. Most find ondansetron (sometimes combined with cyclizine) to be the best. Was there a particular drug that worked better for you last time? If so definitely ask for it now. Also already request a laxative as all the anti emetics seem to cause constipation, especially when combined with the dehydration. Starting early with the right treatments will definitely help and hopefully it won’t get as bad as last time.

eallison88 · 17/12/2018 11:43

re ondansetron and constipation. After a couple of weeks of ondansetron I was incredibly constipated. I started daily lactulose at that point, 15ml twice a day. After about a week things had settled,, and (a couple of months in) I only need 15ml lactulose once a day, then every couple of days I have two 15ml doses in a day, and things are pretty normal now in that area.

evu I'm delighted you appear to have a supportive GP. If the meds are going to work, they work pretty quickly. Sonic you're still sufferjngrhe constant nausea in a couple of days, go back and ask to try something else. It's important yo be proactive in managing HG, as the quicker it's under control the easier itis to control. If you end up really ill its harder (not impossible!) to get things back on track.

reastie I'd imagine the front shitty at the moment is almost entirely due to a busy Saturday. You be barely done anything for weeks, your body will be shocked!! Rest easy today :)

rachyrach congratulations. I know what you mean about the memories rushing back. We decided to try for a second, and did loads of prep (put a bit of weight on, got into really healthy eating habits and got a prescription for cyclizine so I could start meds as soon as found out I was pregnant. Within minutes of a positive test (first cycle!!) my head was filled with memories and I spent the first week or so constantly on the brink of a panic attack. Completely normal and understandable. One of the best things I did in this respect was going to a counsellor. I saw one last year and it changed a lot about myself and my life. At the time I was finishing with her, we discussed that at some point I wanted to explore my pregnancy, but that I wasn't ready at that point. So pretty much the second thing I did when found I wasn pregnant again was get in touch with her. Luckily we can afford private, so i didnt have to wait. If youre not in a posititon to he able to pay for it, is suggest speaking to your GP about an urgent referral an NHS counsellor, ideally with expertise in HG.

For the first time in this pregnancy, over the last couple of days I've felt pregnant (with a difficult pregnancy) rather than just ill. It's been nice! I'm tired, the visible side effects of the steroids are getting me down a bit. My bump is about the same size I was with my son at about 7/8months. My face/chest is covered in spots (even as a teen I was lucky enough to avoid spots). My face is swollen, and hairy. Downy hair I can just about cope with. The millions of grey witchy fuckers that appear each day I cannot cope with. So constantly plucking those bastards out. And the combination of exhaustion and insomnia is a particularly joyous one. But ive not been sick for well over a week. And the nausea levels are mainly pretty low. So it's better than it could be.

MauisLeftNipple · 17/12/2018 12:52

Glad you're feeling a bit better eallison, but sorry you have to suffer such side effects.

Beanhunter I was taking 30ml lactulose twice a day to try and counteract the ondansetron constipation. It stopped being effective after a week or so so I tried movicol again. 3 sachets initially, now I'm down to two. I have reduced my ondansetron to 2mg twice a day in th3 past week so hoping that will help too.

In regards to toothbrushing, I've gone back to a manual brush rather than my electric. I am also using my kids toothpaste. It has a very mild mint flavour. It had got to the point where I had to dilute mouthwash, and even then couldn't bare the liquid sloshing around in my mouth. A v quick brush with aqua fresh kids was better I thought. Am actually seeing the dentist today so will see what he thinks about the state of my teeth...

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